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Original poster

British Airways Premium Economy vent

209 replies

GingerBeverage · 18/05/2022 10:37

Just venting really, but I've been separated from my 2 year old in the PE cabin for upcoming 7 hour overnight BA flight.
I booked 4 months ago and choosing seats was always listed as significantly extra (c£50 each from memory) so I relied on their family seating policy. I'd already paid to upgrade, it didn't make sense to pay more.
I checked regularly and seats were always chargeable until a week ago I saw they'd been allocated. OK, I'll move them!
Nope. Cabin is fully booked.
Went on chat and was told they can't help, here, follow this link to complain.
Reply via email 5 days later: You shouldn't have used this link, aka shut up and go away.
The specific seats they have given us are next to toilets centre section aisle, centre section middle, and last row next to toilets centre section middle.
So looks like (we are A, toilets are T):
XX AAX XX
TT XAX TT

If we put 2 year old in aisle he will run away. If we put 2 year old in centre he will annoy the stranger next to him. He's going to cry anyway when he sees he's separated from either me or dad. And the two strangers on either side are not going to want to have him clambering over, nor will they want to swap from an aisle (that they probably paid £50 for) to a centre.

And all this will happen next to toilets which will (if he ever sleeps) wake him up.

I've never regretted an upgrade more. If I could go back and choose economy again I'd do it in a flash. There's no amount of extra mm legroom that can compensate for how much I am dreading this experience.

They said to ask to move at the airport but the chances of that helping are slim to zero. I feel sorry for everyone around us.

OP posts:
JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 18/05/2022 13:58

Fraaahnces · 18/05/2022 11:33

It sounds like a deliberate policy to screw people out of more money. You need to look at their unaccompanied minors policy. Most airlines disallow kids under 5 travelling alone…You should point out that despite the fact that you haven’t paid for your child to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor (Unmin), that you assume that they are going to provide suitable supervision and that the airline will accept all legal responsibility for the custody of your toddler from when you board until you land. (I hope your kid has special medical requirements - anaphylaxis/asthma, etc that will require extra supervision from staff….) I bet you get moved.

The child isn't unaccompanied, it is sitting next to one of its parents

Saddlesore · 18/05/2022 13:59

Years ago when I was flying overnight with my toddler son, the plane had lots of empty seats dotted around, including a wide middle section next to me that we could really stretch out on, and have easier access to all the stuff you need when flying with a toddler. As soon as the seatbelt sign went off, I moved into the empty row with him, but at the same time someone moved into the seat at the other end to grab a similar amount of space. I said "Just to warn you that my son suffers from travel sickness, but I'll try to keep him well away from you when he starts." That person found another set of empty seats pretty quickly! Maybe you could try that little white lie on the third person on your row and ask if they would like to sit in your allocated seat behind??? Underhand, I know.....

myuterusistryingtokillme · 18/05/2022 14:02

Fraaahnces · 18/05/2022 11:33

It sounds like a deliberate policy to screw people out of more money. You need to look at their unaccompanied minors policy. Most airlines disallow kids under 5 travelling alone…You should point out that despite the fact that you haven’t paid for your child to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor (Unmin), that you assume that they are going to provide suitable supervision and that the airline will accept all legal responsibility for the custody of your toddler from when you board until you land. (I hope your kid has special medical requirements - anaphylaxis/asthma, etc that will require extra supervision from staff….) I bet you get moved.

The kid isn't unaccompanied, there are two seats together and one in front!

JorisBonson · 18/05/2022 14:04

Another entitled parent thinking their kid can shout and rub around and annoy people and they just have to put up with it.

Oh, and as others have said, YABU, you have the seats. Pay next time.

GetThatHelmetOn · 18/05/2022 14:05

Is this a joke? Honestly… you have too many unreasonable constraints to meet by the airline especially if you choose not to pay for seats or leave the decision until too late.

By the way, I have travelled with a baby/toddler long haul in all those positions you indicated and nobody has died, my toddler didn’t run away and for fuck sake, if he was waken up he fell asleep again or I entertained him so he didn’t disturb other passengers, you just need to be the mother and act like one rather than expecting the airline and other passengers to give way to your PFB high demands.

MrsFezziwig · 18/05/2022 14:08

This is why I’ve hesitated as I would really love, just for once as a treat, to upgrade, but it would be just my luck to end up sitting next to OP’s toddler!

I can’t believe that you’ve shelled out to upgrade and then not paid the (relatively) small amount extra to select your seats. That’s the very definition of false (Premium) economy.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 18/05/2022 14:10

I really don't understand what your complaint is or what you expected.

You had the option to pay to book seats when you booked the flight. You chose not to book them at that time.

What did you think would happen?

Why do you think paying for an upgrade is in anyway relevant?

If you could afford an upgrade why not stay in economy and use the saving to book seats together?

The airline have done exactly as they promised and seated the child with a parent. The other parent is very luckily seated just a row behind where the child can see them if they turn round and they can interact with eachother. Sounds as though you got a pretty good service.

SoupDragon · 18/05/2022 14:14

Your child is seated with an adult. That's all they need to do.

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:20

It's not their "policy," they would be breaking civil aviation rules if one parent or guardian is not sitting with any child under 12. Certain airlines seem to conveniently forget this at times - anything to chisel more profit out of customers.

grapewines · 18/05/2022 14:20

HoppingPavlova · 18/05/2022 11:24

I’m sure the stranger sitting next to him will be sanguine too.

No, I’m pretty sure the person sitting next to him will be sitting there really pissed off that you couldn’t be arsed paying like they likely did and thought you would make the situation everyone else’s problem.

This. Pay to sit next to your kids. Ugh.

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:21

It's not the OP making it everyone else's problem, it's the airline who chose to make people pay extra to book a bog standard seat.

Noname1999 · 18/05/2022 14:22

Misses point of thread entirely, but what's the point of an upgrade if it doesn't include pre-booked seats on the bargain?

Anyway, you may be able to get the people in economy to swap with you. Ask a flight attendant politely and kindly on the day and they may be able to help you out. Just don't expect anything and you may be pleasantly surprised!

Bathroom2022 · 18/05/2022 14:23

I would totally take £50/£80 in cash with me and offer it to the other passenger to swap.

Clymene · 18/05/2022 14:23

One adult really should be able to cope with a single 2 year old,

SoupDragon · 18/05/2022 14:25

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:21

It's not the OP making it everyone else's problem, it's the airline who chose to make people pay extra to book a bog standard seat.

No it isn't. They aren't making anyone do anything.

grapewines · 18/05/2022 14:25

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:21

It's not the OP making it everyone else's problem, it's the airline who chose to make people pay extra to book a bog standard seat.

If she can afford to pay for an upgrade, she cen afford to pay for seats. Otherwise, when travelling with children, booking seats should be prioritised.

Bottom line is she didn't want to pay, and so she is making it other people's problem, especially the stranger sitting next to her child.

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:25

Misses point of thread entirely, but what's the point of an upgrade if it doesn't include pre-booked seats on the bargain?

Quite. I booked speedy boarding last time I booked with Easyjet which meant no extra charge for booking a seat, we got seats right at the front (and my mum could get on quicker, less hanging around standing for her as she's 82).

SoupDragon · 18/05/2022 14:25

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:20

It's not their "policy," they would be breaking civil aviation rules if one parent or guardian is not sitting with any child under 12. Certain airlines seem to conveniently forget this at times - anything to chisel more profit out of customers.

One parent is sitting next to the child.

Franklin12 · 18/05/2022 14:26

I am not a fan of BA especially PE and the fact you have to PAY for seats unless you are a Executive Club member of a certain status.

But you always knew this but didnt want to pay any more and I am afraid that was your choice. You clearly dont like your seats and now it is too late.

As another PP said... Offer to swap with someone in Economy. Someone would presumably love to sit in PE without actually paying anything further.

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:27

Bottom line is she didn't want to pay, and so she is making it other people's problem, especially the stranger sitting next to her child

Bottom line is, the airline is being ridiculous and also breaking the law.

Alwayspaintyournails · 18/05/2022 14:27

You haven’t been separated from your 2yr old. The child has a parent sat with them.

surely you can’t be surprised that the seats left over are next to the toilets?

SoupDragon · 18/05/2022 14:27

You would have had the same issue if you hadn't upgraded - pay for seats or risk not all being seated together.

TuTuLemon · 18/05/2022 14:28

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:27

Bottom line is she didn't want to pay, and so she is making it other people's problem, especially the stranger sitting next to her child

Bottom line is, the airline is being ridiculous and also breaking the law.

How are they?! OP has 2 seats together.

SoupDragon · 18/05/2022 14:28

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:27

Bottom line is she didn't want to pay, and so she is making it other people's problem, especially the stranger sitting next to her child

Bottom line is, the airline is being ridiculous and also breaking the law.

they have seated the child with a parent. How are they breaking the law?

JorisBonson · 18/05/2022 14:28

Rosehugger · 18/05/2022 14:27

Bottom line is she didn't want to pay, and so she is making it other people's problem, especially the stranger sitting next to her child

Bottom line is, the airline is being ridiculous and also breaking the law.

But the child is sitting next to one parent, just not both.

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